Have a Question or Comment on this Article?

Protein per unit area

Edible protein per unit area for various foodstuffs:

Food	Protein
	(g/m²)	(lb/acre)
Soybean	40	356
Rice	29	260
Maize	24	211
Legume (all non-soybean legumes averaged)	22	192
Wheat	15	138
Milk	9.2	82
Egg	8.5	76
Meat (all meats averaged)	5.0	45
Beef	2.2	20

Interpretation

Soybean provides the largest amount of protein per unit area. Soybeans, as a legume, produce essential amino acids such as lysine and fix their own nitrogen, so it doesn't have to be added as a chemical fertilizer in large amounts.

Reference

John Lobell, The Little Green Book

Protein per unit area

Interpretation

Reference

See also